The Los Angeles Rams have a big Matthew Stafford problem.
The veteran quarterback is reportedly dealing with a back injury, and he’s currently listed as ‘week-to-week.’
With that in mind, head coach Sean McVay revealed the team’s plans to ease him back into action:
“It’s static throwing,” McVay said. “It’s some of the unloaded running on the treadmill. Sometimes it might even be walking. He’s able to do a little lighter cardio and able to do some good core work. It’s more just functional strength surrounding the area, making sure you don’t do anything to set yourself back based on the trajectory he’s doing. We are looking forward to getting him and easing him back into football hopefully in the near future.”
Stafford isn’t getting any younger, and those lingering back issues have haunted him for a while now.
He was used to playing through injury and without complaining for most of his time with the Detroit Lions, but Father Time spares no victims, and that might not be in his best interests anymore.
The Rams need their Super Bowl-winning gunslinger out there for when it counts, so it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see them shut him down for the entire preseason if that’s what it takes to get him back to full strength.
They have an experienced backup in Jimmy Garoppolo, but it’s been a long while since he played and even longer since he looked like a starting-caliber signal-caller.
Even so, McVay’s quarterback-friendly system could help him look good if they need him to take the reins of the offense for a week or two.
Stafford is one of the most talented and underrated quarterbacks of his generation.
The Rams managed to keep him around for a little longer after some speculation about his future, and they know just how vital he is to their aspirations.
For now, they’ll just have to play it safe and think about the big picture.
NEXT: Sean McVay Reveals Rams Rookie Who Has ‘Really Shined’
